The latest edition of Tomatoes climbs the vine of sports topics and touches upon many recent stories including football legends and their sons, golf legends faltering at another major, former NBA stars dreaming of a comeback and much, much more.

So as the headlines continue to get generated, more stories of sports frustration emerge. Don’t sweat it, The Wife Hates Sports has them covered – in lycopene, that is.

Fine, most college kids drink underage, I get that – but when you carry that name and family reputation for the Irish, one has to be smarter.

It’s not just making some critics think that the apple falls far from the tree, but instead of fruitful beginnings in South Bend, Irish fans are left thinking sour grapes.

Tiger Woods and the Media’s Crush

…for challenging my gag reflex.

A few years ago, I understood the media’s crush on Tiger Woods, even though I still felt it was a little much to show his every shot – even when out of contention during a major tournament.

Any chance we can tone down the Tiger coverage?

But now that he’s had his name dragged through the mud for months and months – and he’s failed to take a major or win a tournament all year, it’s about time that we take a step back in the Tiger coverage – just a hair.

Either that, or replace it with some more press conferences featuring Tiger and the British media – that would be the ‘bees knees’.

Pacquiao-Mayweather

… for being a sports topic with little punch.

It certainly feels like an eternity that this dream match between Pacquiao and Mayweather has been discussed.

As the deadline passes, it’s “blah blah blah”, trash talk stacked on top of trash talk – and in all likelihood, no match was decided upon because there wasn’t enough millions to go around for the two of them.

If you ask me, this story needs a permanent TKO.

Wendi Nix

…for botching a well-known sports movie line.

So I’m minding my own business watching coverage of the British Open championship, when Wendi Nix comes on to interview Rory McIlroy during coverage of the third round.

In the middle of the interview, Nix drops the line, “There’s no crying in football, so we’ll say there’s no crying in golf either…”

Hello, Wendi?

Talk about being in a “league of your own” – a female sportscaster that botches arguably one of the more famous lines in a sports movie featuring mostly females.

Maybe, I’m being a little overcritical – who knows. I don’t know, what do you think, Tom?

Penny Hardaway

…for wanting to ride the coat tails of LeBron, D-Wade and Bosh.

I’ve already pitched in my two cents on this story, but it simply deserves a tomato, too – as Penny Hardaway has made it known that he’d like to come out of retirement and play for the Miami Heat this upcoming season.

Sure, if I had a penny for every person like Penny that said this, then… well… nevermind.

Joe Girardi

…for giving away an opportunity at home-field advantage in the World Series.

It’s no doubt a challenge when dealing with an All-Star lineup – and both Charlie Manuel and Joe Girardi were faced with a number of challenges in Anaheim a few short days ago.

But it’s Girardi that made the biggest blunders late in the game, leaving no speed on the bench and not pinch-running for Big Papi during a crucial time in the 9th inning – one that could have made all the difference between earning home-field advantage and not.

Baseball and Mark Cuban

…for being a match made in hell.

Listen, I understand that Mark Cuban can be a strong personality, but he’s a passionate person and a great owner that puts a lot into his sports franchises.

The first part of that statement is why I understand why Major League Baseball continues to ignore him – first when he expressed interest in buying the Chicago Cubs, and recently when he “offered to help” with the Texas Rangers– a team that has had recent financial troubles and will be up for auction on August 4th.

But wanting to win very badly and put blood, sweat and tears into his franchise… what’s wrong with that?

So, c’mon MLB – give “Cubes” a chance – this really could be a match made in heaven.

This has been Throwing Tomatoes, where no tears were shed in the writing of this post.

5 Comments

Amy
July 24, 2010 at 3:01 PM

It depends on who Manuel had left on the bench on whether or not he would sub for Prince. I would have, and that’s probably because I’m not a big fan of Prince, even though he plays for my hometown team.

Speaking of football, I’m a little surprised T.O. hasn’t found a new home yet. I mean yeah I understand nobody really wants to sign him, but you know some team out there is probably in desperate need of him.

admin
July 24, 2010 at 9:04 AM

AMY,

Ha ha, I know right?

Yeah, Prince would not have made it… but would Charlie Manuel subbed him out? Perhaps…

Yes, I’m getting fired up for football… especially after seeing some of the college football media days, plus the fact that NFL camps are opening up, etc. Good times…

Amy
July 21, 2010 at 7:37 PM

Leave it to some chick to inspire a post for you!

Ah, so it was one of those plays, a wait and see approach. Prince Fielder would’ve never made it 2nd either.

Yay! I can’t wait for football to start. It also means the weather starts to get a little cooler.

admin
July 21, 2010 at 9:41 AM

What’s up Amy?

It sounds like we are on the same page with a lot of these… but yeah, when Nix blew that one, it actually inspired the entire post. In my head, I thought… “yeah it’s time to put another one of these out there…”

I saw the game… and just didn’t understand some of the moves, especially leaving him out there. Basically he had to wait to see if the ball would drop, but 90% of baseball would have legged that one out and made it to second.

Yeah, there have been owners like Cubes before… the late Steinbrenner for example, so I’m not sure why they seem to appear to keep him out.

Take care, football is here soon!

Amy
July 18, 2010 at 10:55 AM

“There’s no crying in baseball” is like one of the most famous lines ever spoken. How could she mess that up?

I had to go to work, so I wasn’t able to watch the end of the All-Star Game. I had to read about how Big Papi couldn’t run if his life depended on it. And I can’t believe Girardi didn’t play A-Rod.

Cuban would be great for MLB. He’s passionate, outspoken and so forth. You don’t see that in to many owners. It’s usually the managers that are like that. I say give Cuban a chance. It can’t hurt. He would only liven it up a bit. What’s wrong with that?